My only leather jacket, a vintage find.

[One Drop]

The only leather jacket I've owned before this one was a truly exceptional piece that I had bought as a teenager in the'70s, which was truly a Golden Era for vintage clothing. It was a severely cropped V-shaped button-up russet brown jacket from the '30s or early '40s, in excellent condition, that fit very closely, had two pockets and some very fine detailing. It reminded me at the time of the kind of jacket movie stars wore in that era, it was very elegant and must have been a very expensive jacket when sold new, it definitely wasn't a working mans everyday garment. Most others at the time were buying up the Perfectos and other Moto designs that were ubiquitous in the vintage shops, this one was a rare beast even then, when the racks of every shop were filled with hundreds of jackets, none of which cost more than a few days work at a summer job.

Fast forward to a few summers ago when I popped into a favourite and rare remaining vintage shop in Montreal, it was a sweltering day and the last thing on my mind was trying on leather, jackets, but during a quick run through the racks this one popped out. I'm so used to scanning vintage clothing that I knew before taking it off the hangar that it would fit me, and indeed it did, it's tagged as a 38. It fits as if custom made for me.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, except to mention that it was made in Canada, the dark brown leather is thick, very grainy, probably cowhide, the 85% wool liner is in perfect condition, the pocket bags are heavy cotton twill, the arms are lined in black acetate with cotton backing, and the one inner pocket is leather trimmed and lined with lavender acetate (according to the information on the label). I reckon it's from the '70s, it's completely broken and very supple, the cut is straight, neither too slim or too boxy, the heavy brass YKK zipper is heavy duty and works perfectly, and the only minor niggle I could mention is that the armholes are cut low and the jacket rides up when I raise my arms above my shoulders. This isn't a problem as I don't ride motorcycles and only wear it occasionally to commute to work or do a city visit, and by happenstance never actually need to raise my arms over my shoulders.

The price was a ridiculously low CDN $85.00, about USD $75.00 at the time. It looks far better when worn than in these pedestrian pictures, and it dresses up or down equally well. I might add a fit pic as these photos really don't do it justice.

 

[One Drop]

BTW, the one I owned as a teen very closely resembled this one, except was a solid colour somewhere between Chestnut and Russet, and still very lustrous and in far better condition. The leather was incredibly thick yet somehow still supple, the liner was silk or satin and the buttons made of real woven leather, it was truly a museum worthy piece. I wore it with high waisted gabardine pleated trousers and billowy cotton shirts, and in winter with a newsboy cap, all of which were plentiful in the vintage shops.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/328059154126501424/

 

[Monitor]

I reckon it's from the '70s

Early 2000's, could be up to 2010's. Late 90's at best.

 

[One Drop]

Early 2000's, could be up to 2010's. Late 90's at best.

Thanks for the information. May I ask how you dated it? The owner of the shop had reckoned it to be from earlier, not as a selling point as neither of us cared, I was buying it anyway.

 

[Monitor]

Thanks for the information. May I ask how you dated it? The owner of the shop had reckoned it to be from earlier, not as a selling point as neither of us cared, I was buying it anyway.

Decades of looking at leather jackets lol.

Lots of signs. Firstly, the general style of the jacket combined with the oversized pattern, where you got the shoulders hanging past the hanger ends on a size 38. Plus the low cut armholes you mention. Then there's the main zipper, which is late 90's. Less obvious but also sure sign is this particular type of 90's leather (this leather was always very soft, no break-in required). Things like that.

 

[One Drop]

Decades of looking at leather jackets lol.

Lots of signs. Firstly, the general style of the jacket combined with the oversized pattern, where you got the shoulders hanging past the hanger ends on a size 38. Plus the low cut armholes you mention. Then there's the main zipper, which is late 90's. Less obvious but also sure sign is this particular type of 90's leather (this leather was always very soft, no break-in required). Things like that.

Wonderful, thanks!